Combined table and chair assembly for infants



Nov. 29, 1955 p. GOLDBLATT ET AL 2,725,094

COMBINED TABLE AND CHAIR ASSEMBLY FOR INFANTS Original Filed Sept. 2, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 i i'u I a l! l gYvuc/n M Nov. 29, 1955 P. GOLDBLATT ET AL 2,725,094

COMBINED TABLE AND CHAIR ASSEMBLY FOR INFANTS Original Filed Sept. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Algae/c5 4, 604054.477

Eva/p 604051477 Nov. 29, 1955 P. GOLDBLATT ET AL 2,725,094

COMBINED TABLE AND CHAIR ASSEMBLY FOR INFANTS Original Filed Sept. 2, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 M40212: 6'. 604064427 Ply/up Gouaamrr United States Patent COMBINED TABLE AND CHAIR ASSEMBLY FOR INFANTS Philip Goldblatt and Maurice A. Goldblatt, New York, N. Y., assignors to Guild Industries Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original application September 2, 1948, Serial No. 47,416,

now Patent No. 2,503,199, dated April 4, 1950. Divided and this application March 30, 1950, Serial No. 152,828

4 Claims. (Cl. 155--124) This invention relates to a combined table and chair assembly for infants and young children.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a collapsible table and chair assembly for infants and young children which is rugged and stable in construction, safe in operation and easy to maintain in a clean and sanitary condition at all times.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a detachable seat for infants and young children within the confines of a table frame, which may be used as a feeding or play table for the child, and which seat may be adjusted to difierent positions to aiford comfortable sitting and reclining positions. The seat is also adjustable relative to the table so that the position of the child relative to the feeding or playing surface may be varied as the child grows up, in order to provide maximum comfort and safety during the complete period of use in the source of the childs development.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a combined chair and table assembly for infants and children in which the assembly may be collapsed to a compact condition for convenient portability or storage, and in which the table with the legs in extended position provides a stable support without the least likelihood of the legs collapsing as a result of undue activity of the child supported thereby.

Another object of the invention is to provide the table with extensible legs so that the height of the table top may be varied to suit the comfort of the persons feeding the infant, or to provide a table which may be used for other purposes such as a conventional card playing table. The extensible legs also provide for the use of the table as an inclined play table for the child which may accommodate a blackboard or other playing surface.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a combined chair and table assembly for an infant with a unitary table top which may be easily removed from the table and inserted thereinto so that the maintenance thereof in a clean condition is a simple operation which is conducive to the realization of the good health of the child. The easy reversibility of the table top enables the use of the opposite surfaces of the table with suitable finishes thereof for alternative feeding and playing purposes.

Other objects and purposes will appear from the detailed description of the invention following hereinafter, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved table and chair assembly in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof with the table top shown in partially withdrawn position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the longitudinal median line of the assembly, with the path of the withdrawing movement of the table top shown in dotted line;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view along line 4-4 of ice Fig. 2 showing a front elevation of the connection of one of the legs of the table to the table frame;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view along line 55 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation with certain parts shown in section of the lower portion of one of the table legs;

Fig. 7 is a right end view of Fig. 6 with the upper portion thereof shown in section along line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the table showing the legs in extended condition when the same may be used as a card playing table;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the table similar to Fig. 8, showing the inclination of the table top to render it suitable as a play table or blackboard for young children, or as a drawing board;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the table top showing the reverse surface from that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and designed to provide a playing surface;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the adjustable mounting of the collapsible seat within the table frame to vary the distance of the child from the front edge of the opening in the table top;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment for mounting the collapsible seat upon the table frame;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view along line 1313 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of still another embodiment for adjustably mounting the collapsible seat within the table frame; and

Fig. 15 is a sectional view along line 1515 of Fig. 14.

The combined table and chair assembly in accordance with the present invention is shown in perspective view in Fig. 1, which presents several improved features over similar assemblies as are known in the prior art.

A rectangular frame F is supported by four legs 20 which are mounted near the four corners thereof, and in turn supports the collapsible chair C for an infant within the outlines thereof. A removable table top 1, which the infant may use as a feeding table or play table, is slidably mounted in the frameand is provided with an opening 2 which accommodates the infant sitting on the chair C below the level of the table top. The frame F is preferably formed of four lateral walls of suitable hard wood, finished in a natural clear lacquer that is heat resistant, water and stain-proof, and consists of a front wall 10, rear wall 11, and side walls 12 and 13. A slot 15 is provided in the front wall and guide grooves 11a, 12a and 13a are provided on the inner faces of walls 11, 12 and 13, respectively. This arrangement permits the table top 1 to be inserted and removed from the table frame through slot 15, the lateral edges of which slide in grooves 121: and 13a, and the rear edge of which is seated in groove 11a when the table top is completely within the table frame. A pivoted latch 3 may be moved to the position shown in Fig. 1 when the table top 1 is in its seated position and is turned or more upwardly to permit the withdrawal of the table top through the slot 15.

The legs 20 supporting the frame of the table, are preferably of any suitable tubular metal such as aluminum, stainless steel or the like, of cylindrical configuration. The upper ends of these legs are fastened securely to the table frame by the provision of semi-cylindrical grooves 12b extending downwardly near the opposite ends of the lateral wall 12 of the frame, and semi-cylindrical grooves 13b near the opposite ends of the lateral wall 13. These grooves are slightly inclined to the vertical and diverge downwardly from the table top in order to direct the legs in corresponding directions to impart stability to the table top atall levels thereof. Bolts 22 extend through openings in the lateral walls and the legs 20 for fastening with cooperating wing nuts 23 so that a tightening of the wing nuts 23' will seat the legs 20 within the semi-cylindrical grooves provided therefor in the frame walls, and no amount of kicking or jarring by the infant can cause a shifting of position of the legs. To collapse the table, the wing nuts must be loosened a sufficient extent to permit a clearance of the tubular legs 29 from the grooves 12b and 13b, whereupon they may be folded adjacent to the walls 12 and 13 and substantially within the confines of the frame F.

The height of the table may be varied by the provision of telescopic extension within the legs 20. The lower ends of the legs are fitted with cylindrical rods 24' provided with diametral openings 25 at spaced points thereof which may be selectively lined up with openings 20 near the lower ends of the legs 20 through which are adapted to pass bolts 27 with cooperating wing nuts 28 in order to adjust the amount of extension of the rods 24 from the lower ends of the legs 20. The rods 24 are fitted at the lower ends thereof with caster wheels 26 for the purpose of permitting an easy rolling and manipulation of the table from place to place.

Fig. 8 shows the table with the tubular extensions 24 from the four legs extended an equal amount so that the table may be used as an extra serving table, or as a card playing table, or even as a feeding table for the infant if it is desired that the feeding table be raised to the level of a conventional table. The apertures 25 in the extensions 2 4 permit an adjustment of the table from a height of 23" to 30". 7

By extending the rods 24 from only a pair of the legs, the table top may be tilted, as shown in Fig. 9, to provide a convenient drawing board or blackboard for a child. In such cases a full rectangular insert, having a playing table surface on one side and a blackboard surface on the other side, of a size corresponding to the top inner dimansions of the frame of the table top, as shown in Fig. 1, may be superposed upon the feeding table 1 to extend the field of utility of the assembly. In such situations the back of the chair is collapsed below the table top or is removed completely from the frame as explained more fully below.

Fig. shows the reverse side of the table top from that shown in Fig. 1. Whereas the surface shown in Fig. 1 may be finished with a colored lacquer which may be easily washed or wiped off to maintain it clean for feeding purposes, the reverse side may have a different durable surface more suitable for the playing activities of the child.

In order to adjust the detachable seat within the table frame so that the child may be seated comfortably and safely at all times, provision is made for adjusting the mounting of the seat relative to the back wall 11 so that the child may be seated adjustably with respect to the front edge 2b of the opening 2 while the side edges of the opening 2a remain the same for all positions of adjustment of the seat.

As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 11, the table frame is reenforced by a pair of bracing bars extending from the front wall 10 to the rear wall 11, which in nowise hinder the collapsing of the legs 26 adjacent to the walls 12 and 13. These bars 30 and 31 are spaced to accommodate the collapsible seat C therebetween. The seat may be constructed in any suitable manner and is shown as formed of Masonite or plywood. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 11, the seat consists of a wooden framework formed of side bars 32 and 33, removable front bar 34 which fits within the front ends of the side bars 32 and 33 by mortise and tenon joints and interfitting detachable pins, and a rear bar 35. The supporting member of the seat 38 is suspended from pairs of straps on each side of the seat. On one side or" the upper ends of the straps 36 are bolted to the bar 32 while the lower ends thereof are pivoted to straps 36', which in turn are pivoted to supporting brackets for the seat 38, as well as to links which support the legrest 40 and adjustable foot rest 41 for the child. Similarly, on theiotherside of the seat the upper ends of the straps37 are riveted to the side bar 33 and the lower ends thereof are pivotally connected to straps'37 which connect with brackets supporting the seat 38 and links connecting the leg and foot rests of the seat. The back 39 is hingedly connected to the bottom 38 to provide a comfortable back rest for the child in either sitting or reclined position which may be varied by the engagement of the free end of the strap 48 with a hook 47 provided at the median of the front bar 34, or with a hook 49 provided at the median of the inner face of the front wall 10 which serves to adjust the seat to a reclining position. The detailed structure of the seat forms no part of the present invention and may be varied to suit different conditions.

The seat is removable as a unit to adapt it as an auto mobile seat or the like, the important feature being that the seat is removable as a unit to adjust it to different positions within the table frame-work relative to the opening in the table top and particularly the edge 2b thereof.

For the purpose of mounting the seat adjustably, each of the side bars 30 and 31 is provided with a plurality of spaced bored openings 43a, 44a, and 45a which as a group are spaced from another group of openings in front thereof, 43b, 44b and 45b.

A pair of pins 42 extend from the bottom face of the side bars 32 and 33 and these are engageable selectively in one of the openings in the front group and one of the openings in the rear group on each side. Therefore the seat may be shifted forwardly or rearwardly depending upon the size of the child and the desired positioning relative to the edge 2b of the table top.

in Figs. 12 and 15 are shown two different embodiments for obtaining an adjustable mounting of the seat relative to the opening in the table top.

In the form shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the bracing bars 5d and 51 extending from the front to the rear walls of the frame may be of cylindrical configuration and groups of notches 63a, 64a and 654: may be cut adjacent the rear portion of these bars while identically spaced notches 63b, 64b and b are cut forwardly thereof. Supporting straps 56 on one side of the seat and supporting straps 5'7 on the other side of the seat have the upper ends thereof turned at 58 for seating in any selected pair of notches from the front and rear groups on each side. A U-shaped strap 58 may extend from the rear straps 56 to provide a support for the back 39 and the lower ends of the straps 56 and 57 may have pivoted thereto the straps 5 6 and 57' to provide a rigid or swinging support for the infants seat in a manner similar to that described in connection with the first embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the seat may be constructed identically to that shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13. In this case the reenforcing straps for the table frame may be bracing bars and 71 of rectangular or cylindrical configuration, in which a slot 69 is cut in the upper edge of each along the whole length thereof or only partially as shown in the drawing. The upper ends of the straps 56 are turned downwardly in projections 68 (Fig. 15), which may be moved anywhere along the slot 69 to obtain an infinite number of adjustments of the seat relative to the front edge of the opening in the table top rather than a limited number of adjustments as provided in the first and second embodiments, depending upon the number ofbored openings or grooves in the supporting bars, respectively.

if desired, the notches 63a, 64-11, 65a, 63b, 64b and 65b in the bars Stland S1 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 12 and 13 may be formed on a lathe so that they will extend around the complete periphery of the bars rather than merely on the tops thereof as shown in the drawings.

This application is a division of our co-pcnding application, Serial No. 47,416, filed September 2, 1948, Patent No. 2,503,199, April. 4, 1950.

While we have described our invention as embodied in a specific form and as operating in a specific manner for purposes of illustration, it would be understood that we do not limit our invention thereto, since various modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of our invention, the scope of which is set fortl: in the annexed claims.

We claim:

1. A combined table and chair assembly for infants comprising a square table frame and a plurality of supporting legs connected thereto, a pair of spaced parallel bracing bars extending between opposite walls of said frame, a collapsible chair comprising a pair of side frames each having a pair of spaced downwardly extending pins, a table top mounted on said frame in overlying relation to said bracing bars and provided with an opening to accommodate a child sitting in said chair, and said bracing bars each having a plurality of holes at spaced points therealong to receive selectively said pins when said side frames of the chair are mounted on said bracing bars and thereby to vary the relative position of the front edge of said opening and the seat supporting the infant.

2. A combined table and chair assembly for infants comprising a square table frame and a plurality of supporting legs connected thereto, a pair of spaced parallel bracing bars extending between opposite walls of said frame, a collapsible chair comprising a pair of suspension straps on each side with a seat supported thereby, with said straps being hooked at the upper ends thereof, a table top mounted on said frame in overlying relation to said bracing bars and provided with an opening to accommodate a child sitting in said chair, said bracing bars each having a plurality of notches at spaced points therealong to receive selectively said hooked ends of said suspension straps of said chair and thereby to vary the relative position of the front edge of said opening and the seat supporting the infant.

3. A combined table and chair assembly for infants comprising a square table frame and a plurality of supporting legs connected thereto, a pair of spaced parallel bracing bars extending between opposite walls of said frame, a collapsible chair comprising a pair of suspension straps on each side with a seat supported thereby, with said straps being hooked at the upper ends thereof and terminating in vertical projection, a table top mounted on said frame in overlying relation to said bracing bars and provided with an opening to accommodate a child sitting in said chair, said bracing bars each having a single longitudinal slot along the upper edge thereof for receiving said vertical projections at spaced points therein and thereby to vary the relative position of the front edge of said opening and the seat supporting the infant.

4. A combined table and chair assembly for infants comprising a table frame and a plurality of supporting legs connected thereto, a pair of spaced parallel recessed bracing bars extending between opposite walls of said frame, a collapsible chair having arms with projections extending into the recesses of said bracing bars for attachment thereto and support therefrom at adjustable points solely by means of said projections and recesses, and a table top mounted on said frame in overlying relation to said bracing bars and provided'with an opening to' accommodate a child sitting in said chair, whereby the adjustment of said chair on said bars serves to vary the relative position of the front edge of said opening and the chair supporting the infant. 

